President Donald Trump said Sunday that Iran’s latest written response to a U.S. ceasefire proposal was “totally unacceptable,” rejecting a multipage counteroffer delivered through Pakistani intermediaries as negotiations continue under a fragile regional truce.
In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said he had reviewed Iran’s reply and concluded that it failed to meet key U.S. requirements, particularly on nuclear commitments. “We have their enriched uranium surveilled,” Trump wrote, adding that the United States would “act if necessary” should talks fail.
Iran’s Counterproposal
According to reporting from Reuters, Fox News, and other outlets, Iran’s response included several major elements:
- A call to end fighting on all fronts, including Lebanon.
- A request for security guarantees against renewed attacks on Iranian territory or assets.
- A demand for the lifting of U.S. sanctions, especially oil‑related restrictions.
- A proposal to dilute part of its highly enriched uranium and transfer the remainder to a third country.
- A request for 30 days of additional negotiations to address nuclear issues in detail.
While the proposal signaled movement on uranium stockpiles, it did not include advance, binding commitments on Iran’s nuclear program—an issue U.S. officials have described as central to any agreement.
U.S. Position
According to multiple news reports, Iran’s response did not meet the U.S. demand for advance, verifiable commitments on its nuclear program and enriched‑uranium stockpile.
The United States has insisted that nuclear limits must be agreed to before sanctions relief or broader guarantees are considered.
The disagreement over sequencing remains the primary obstacle to a ceasefire agreement.
Rising Tensions
The rejection comes amid heightened regional tensions. In recent days, U.S. officials have reported drone activity near commercial shipping lanes, while Iranian commanders have warned of retaliation if U.S. forces strike Iranian assets or block tanker movements.
Despite the public rejection, both sides have continued indirect communication through Pakistan and other intermediaries.
What Comes Next
Diplomats familiar with the talks say the United States is preparing a revised proposal but will continue to insist on nuclear commitments as a prerequisite for any broader deal. Iran has signaled it is willing to keep negotiating but maintains that sanctions relief must be part of any agreement.
For now, the ceasefire remains in place, though officials on both sides have acknowledged that the situation could shift quickly if negotiations stall.
